Planted aquarist first reef(IM Nuvo 10)

[Tnalp]

New tank has been running for 3 months now and the diatom stage is over, I am now dealing with a slight green algae. It’s a film not hair which makes me more at ease. Added some hermits and they have been going to town in it. Algae reactor has really made things turn around. Nitrates are around 3ppm and my phosphates read out at 0 on my Hanna Ulr. Alk is at a steady 8dkh. salinity at 1.025. Ordered a Hydor Pico power head since I noticed that the lower portion of the tank collects lots of debris. That way things get kicked up and into the filter floss. Picked up two frags today. I’ll post pictures once they open up! 

[Tnalp]

The past few weeks I’ve been battling something in my tank. Couldn’t find what was wrong with the tank. Any tester corals placed in the tank would shrivel up and go. With all my parameters in check, so I thought, giving up was close. On Instagram I saw some one talking about 35ppt calibration fluid, decided to Order some and try it out for my self. Sure enough my refractometer was reading 1.031 after calibration!!! No wonder the few pieces I tried would wither away! After dropping my salinity I picked up some frags and can I say that all the headaches have been worth it. Seeing corals thrive in your tank is the most satisfying feeling! Picked up a chili pepper monti, Gatorade zoa, Ricordia florida orange mushroom, joker cyphastrea, Cali tort acro. All corals have full polyp extension and are happy happy. The reactor has been a huge help. Keeping my no3 at 2-3ppm and my phosphates linger around .012. Picked up a small Hydor pico power head and have it aimed to the floor in order to get all that detritus kicked up. 

[banasophia]

Oh wow, I’m glad you figured out what was going on. I had issues with my refractometer in the beginning, and I feel that purchasing a Milwaukee digital refractometer was one of the best investments I’ve made in my tank. Excited to see more pics of your corals. 

[Tnalp]

8 hours ago, banasophia said:

Oh wow, I’m glad you figured out what was going on. I had issues with my refractometer in the beginning, and I feel that purchasing a Milwaukee digital refractometer was one of the best investments I’ve made in my tank. Excited to see more pics of your corals. 

That is the next thing on the list!

[Tnalp]

Finally had a weekend off so that could only mean one thing.... frag shopping! Made the drive out to Ultra Gem fish and coral in LA. Picked up a Hanna calcium checker, bubble gum digi, birds nest, super glue and a fish which I will show off later! Got tired of my snail knocking over my sps frags so I mounted them up except the monti, I’ll get around to that and attaching the zoas on their rock. I have been testing this tank everyday everyday for alk, 1x week phosphate, calcium 2x. So far my phosphate is stable at a low of .009, alk is at 8.0 stable. Every other day it drops .2 so I dose .5ml of Red Sea alk which sets it right back to 8.0dkh. Calcium is sitting at 430ppm. 

[Tnalp]

Spontaneous purchase... Aquamax reactor really cleaned things up. 

[HookedOnAquariums]

Where the fish! Like where this tank is going. Also a planted dude (I’ve got a 55 gal amazon biotope atm) and I thing some experience keeping some harder fish and plants alive, dealing with with disease, algae, and learning how to do frequent water changes has really helped me out in the reef aspect! (We started our salt tanks at the same time too.)

[Tnalp]

15 minutes ago, HookedOnAquariums said:

Where the fish! Like where this tank is going. Also a planted dude (I’ve got a 55 gal amazon biotope atm) and I thing some experience keeping some harder fish and plants alive, dealing with with disease, algae, and learning how to do frequent water changes has really helped me out in the reef aspect! (We started our salt tanks at the same time too.)

I have one black/white clown in there right now. I had two but one passed. Not sure why either? I’ve been wanted to try out a dark water planted aquarium just haven’t gotten around to it. Having too much fun on the reefing side lately! 

[Tnalp]

Reef has been super stable and easy to keep, not much has been going on aside from usual maintence. Spring break is here, which means I’ll have more time on my hands. Took advantage of aqua sd’s live sale and ordered up some frags!